Sunday, November 8, 2020 Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: www.patriarchate.org Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Website: www.goarch.org Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta Website: www.atlanta.goarch.org St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church Website: www.saintchristopherhoc.org St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church 3 1 3 Dividend Drive, Suite 210 Peachtree City, Georgia 30269 Very Rev. Fr. George J. Tsahakis, Chancellor Liturgical Guide for Sunday, November 8, 2020 ON THIS DAY, THE 7TH SUNDAY OF ST. LUKE, THE CHURCH COMMEMORATES the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel. Through their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. Thank You for Your Understanding We welcome our parishioners who pre-registered and are attending services in person today and we also welcome those who are viewing our online video streaming at home. Let us comply with the guidelines we have provided everyone. We appreciate your kind understanding that our church is beginning phase one of the re-opening of our doors. Fr. George is deeply appreciative to you and all who are assisting during worship services. Please consider that only baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians in canonical good standing may approach for Holy Communion. All are invited to partake of the Antidoron ("instead of the gifts") distributed at the conclusion of today’s Divine Liturgy. SPECIAL HYMNS SUNG BEFORE/AFTER SMALL ENTRANCE 1./2. Resurrectional Hymn (Plagal of the First Tone) – (Hymnal-pp.114-117): It is sung before and after the Small Entrance: To the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, let us, the faithful, give praise and worship. For He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death and raise the dead by His glorious resurrection. 3. Hymn Commemorating the Heavenly Hosts – (see handout): It is sung after the Small Entrance. O Chief Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy now entreat you in earnest, to fortify us by your supplications to the Lord, and shelter us beneath the wings of your spiritual glory, guarding us who run to you and fervently entreat you: As the Commanders of the hosts on high, rescue us faithful from dangers of every kind. 4. Hymn Commemorating St. Christopher – (see handout): It is sung after the Small Entrance. Made comely with garments woven from your venerable blood, you stand before the Lord, the King of Heaven and earth, O famed Martyr Christopher. With the choirs of Angels and the Martyrs you chant, singing the thrice-holy hymn and most awesome praises. Thus, by your intercessions with God, save us, your servants. 5. Kontakion for Feast of the Theotokos (11/21) – (Hymnal-pp.236-239): It is sung after the Small Entrance: Behold the temple of the Savior, His precious bridal chamber. Behold the virginal and sacred vessel of God’s glory. Today she enters into the house of the Lord, bearing within her the grace of the Holy Spirit. For this, the angels exclaim: She is indeed the heavenly tabernacle. 6. Communion Hymn– (not in Hymnal): For today’s Feast of the Angels, we sign the following hymn: He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. Alleluia. (Psalm 103) SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES FROM TODAY'S ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY The Scriptures were not given us for this only, that we might have them in books, but that we might engrave them on our hearts. – St. John Chrysostom Gospel Reading During Orthros Service (John 21:15-25) When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time He said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to Him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this He said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to You? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to You?" This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Epistle Reading During Divine Liturgy (Hebrews 2:2-10) For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added His testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to His will. Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for Whom and through Whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Gospel Reading During Divine Liturgy (Luke 8:41-56) 41Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As He went, the crowds pressed in on Him. 43Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. 44She came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45Then Jesus asked, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround You and press in on You.” 46But Jesus said, “Someone touched Me; for I noticed that power had gone out from Me.” 47When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 49While He was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.” 50When Jesus heard this, He replied, “Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.” 51When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52They were all weeping and wailing for her; but He said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead. 54But He took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” 55Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then He directed them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astounded; but He ordered them to tell no one what had happened. THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE (TRY TO COMMIT TO MEMORY): “19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20) PASTORAL REFLECTION FROM FR.